Touchstone

Diamonds can’t be purchased with broken glass
Nor by collecting dust can one get wealth ;
To attain Krsna the price is nothing less
Than everything, including life itself.
Unless we are determined and sincere
Our dormant love for God will not awake,
Thus, as with gold, a fire-proof will make clear
If one is really truthful or is fake.
No renouncement is ever so complete
Nor is the mind so difficult to win
As when we must perform such a hard feat
As giving up the object of our esteem.
For one who sees his wish coming so near
There is no pain like leaving what is so dear.




Metre: Italian hendecasyllable

© copyrighted in the National Library,Brazil